Medical waste fluid collection and disposal system

Abstract

A medical waste fluid collection and disposal system includes a medical waste fluid collection cart including first and second fluid collection canisters. A valve assembly selectively communicates with the canisters and a valve drive system controls the valve assembly. A liquid level sensor is positioned within each of the canisters. A cart processor communicates with the liquid level sensors and the valve drive system. A cart drain line communicates with the valve assembly and a receptacle, a cart flushing line communicates with the valve assembly and the receptacle and a cart data line and a cart power line communicate with the cart processor and the cart receptacle. A station includes a drain pump that communicates with a drainage system and a station drain line, a flushing pump that communicates with a source of washing liquid and a station flushing line and a station processor in communication with the drain and flushing pumps. A station data line communicates with the station processor. A coupler communicates with the station drain line, flushing line and the station data line and a station power line. The station coupler removably engages the cart receptacle so operation of the cart and station components can be coordinated by the processors for drainage and flushing of the cart canisters.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A medical waste fluid collection and disposal system comprising:
 a) a medical waste fluid collection cart including:
 i. a first fluid collection canister and a second fluid collection canister; 
 ii. a valve assembly selectively in communication with the first and second fluid collection canisters, the valve assembly comprising a wash valve, a drain valve, a short loop valve and a vent valve; 
 iii. a valve drive system in communication with said valve assembly; 
 iv. a first liquid level sensor positioned within said first fluid collection canister and a second liquid level sensor positioned within said second fluid collection canister; 
 v. a cart processor in communication with the first and second liquid level sensors and the valve drive system, 
 vi. a cart drain line in communication with the valve assembly; 
 vii. a cart flushing line in communication with the valve assembly; 
 viii. a cart data line in communication with the cart processor; 
 
 b) a station including:
 i. a drain pump having an outlet adapted to communicate with a drainage system and an inlet; 
 ii. a flushing pump having an outlet and an inlet; 
 iii. a source of washing liquid in communication with the inlet of said flushing pump; 
 iv. a station processor in communication with the drain pump and the flushing pump; 
 v. a station drain line in communication with the drain pump inlet; 
 vi. a station flushing line in communication with the flushing pump outlet; 
 vii. a station data line in communication with the station processor; 
 
 c) a single coupler for removably coupling the cart and station drain lines, the cart and station flushing lines and the cart and station data lines so that the cart and station processors may cooperate in operating the cart valve assembly and the station drain and flushing pumps based on liquid levels in the first and second fluid collection canisters of the cart so that medical waste fluids may be drained and flushed from the first and second fluid collection canisters. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1  wherein said cart further includes a cart power line in communication with the cart processor and the coupler and said station includes a station power line in communication with the coupler so that said cart and station power lines are removably coupling so that said cart processor receives power from the station power line. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1  wherein the cart further comprises a touch screen that communicates with the cart processor, said touch screen permitting an operator to control both the cart and station processors when the cart and station data lines are coupled by the coupler. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1  wherein the source of washing liquid includes a supply of bleach and a supply of enzyme. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1  wherein the coupler includes a composite hose including station drain line, the station flushing line and the station data line and a coupler housing including wash supply fitting in communication with the station flushing line, a wash drain fitting in communication with the station drain line and an electrical connector in communication with the station data line. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5  wherein said cart includes a receptacle in communication with the cart drain line, the cart flushing line and the cart data line, said receptacle sized to receive the coupler housing. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6  wherein said composite hose also includes a station power line that is in communication with the electrical connector of the coupler housing and wherein said cart includes a cart power line in communication with the cart processor and the receptacle. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1  wherein the coupler includes a locking mechanism having a locked configuration and a release configuration, said locking mechanism in communication with the station processor and said station processor maintaining the locking mechanism in the locked configuration as medical waste fluids are drained and flushed from the first and second fluid collection canisters. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wash valve, drain valve, vent valve and short loop valve each comprise 3-way valves. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured such that when the wash valve, drain valve and vent value are in an on position, the short loop valve is in an off position. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured such that when the wash valve, drain valve and vent value are in an off position, the short loop valve is in an on position.